Necklaces

The Oldest Idea in Jewelry, Still Improving

Before rings. Before earrings. Somebody pierced a handful of small shells, strung them on a cord and tied it around the neck. Found in caves from Morocco to Israel, these ancient artifacts date back 80,000 years. Bead necklaces aren't a category. They are the original.

And everything since has been a refinement. Cable necklaces take oval links and turn each one a quarter rotation from the last, a structure borrowed from anchor chains. From there, chain necklaces multiplied into rope, box, herringbone, and omega. Around Arezzo and Vicenza, whole towns were built on goldsmithing, which is why Italian necklaces still decide how gold should drape. Pearl necklaces require sorting thousands of pearls for size, luster and overtone until they finally agree.

After that, it's all in the delivery. Diamond necklaces say it plainly. Tennis necklaces run one unbroken line of stones and took their name from a bracelet lost at the 1987 US Open. Station necklaces argue the opposite, spacing stones out so the chain gets a say. Gemstone necklaces bring color to the occasion. Gold necklaces add warmth in 10kt, 14kt, and 18kt. Sterling silver necklaces for days that call for something cooler. Cross necklaces and heart necklaces have carried deep meaning for thousands of years.

Layered necklaces are where personal taste prevails. Two inches between lengths, metals that shouldn't agree and do anyway.

Ross-Simons has been buying necklaces since 1952. The selection is wide. The pricing keeps it that way.